Do the Mavericks have a Point on the Play-In Tourney?

(Vernon Bryant/dallasnews.com)

The NBA Playoff Structure has shifted this year. For the first time, the league will be holding a Play-In tournament featuring the 7-10 seeds in each conference. This allows more teams the opportunity at the Playoffs, increases the importance of regular season games, and discourages bad teams from tanking in the 2nd half of the season. Many people are up on the idea as it makes the regular season more meaningful and enjoyable while also giving the fans more Playoff games. However, many members of the Dallas Mavericks have spoken out against the new format. Mavericks President and Coolest Shark Mark Cuban spoke about his displeasure with the league and the timing of this new tournament. Cuban spoke about how the shortened NBA season does not go hand-in-hand with the new format.

(Ryan Michalesko/dallasnews.com)

He explained how the rushed regular season and now new Playoff games will cause players to be burnt out deep in the Playoffs. His exact words explained the timing of the tournament and the idea itself as “an enormous mistake.” And it's not just Cube speaking out. Mavericks Star Luka Doncic spoke negatively about the format of the Play-In Tournament as well.

(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

He explained how he finds it unfair that a 72 game season can be over in just 2 losses. Now that we have heard the Mavs' gripes, we now have to decide, do they have a point? My short and blunt answer is no, they don’t. While I love Cube and Luka, I think this is a bad look for the Mavs. I believe Cuban has more of a valid point than Doncic, so lets address Luka first. I’m not sure if he realizes this, but the immediacy of losing is how all Playoffs work. The MLB’s Wild Card Round is 1 game, the NCAA Tournament and other Collegiate Tournaments are 1 game, the NBA’s First Round was the Best of 5 for years. Luka being worried about this is kind of nonsense. If you lose 2 games in any round of the Playoffs, you are putting your back against the wall. So why does it matter if it's the Play-In Tournament?

(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Now for Cube. I do think he brings up some valid points. I do agree that this may not be the best year to institute more games. The NBA is already cramming 72 games into a shortened schedule to get back on track after last year’s bubble. More important games down the stretch gives teams less of a chance to rest their important players for the Playoffs. But it all comes down to winning. I have a strong feeling if the Mavs were 3rd instead of 7th, we may not be hearing these headlines. If Mark Cuban and Dallas want a chance to be fresh and avoid the Play-In, they need to win games now. I believe the comments from both men are a bit short sighted. The Play-In Tourney is great for the fans and the revenue of the league. If you don’t like the idea, just win some games Dallas.

(ABC)